Summary
Privacy is commonly regarded as a regulatory requirement achieved via technical and
organizational management practices. Those working in the field of informatics often
play a role in privacy preservation as a result of their expertise in information
technology, workflow analysis, implementation science, or related skills. Viewing
privacy from the perspective of patients whose protected health information is at
risk broadens the considerations to include the perceived duality of privacy; the
existence of privacy within a context unique to each patient; the competing needs
inherent within privacy management; the need for particular consideration when data
are shared; and the need for patients to control health information in a global setting.
With precision medicine, artificial intelligence, and other treatment innovations
on the horizon, health care professionals need to think more broadly about how to
preserve privacy in a health care environment driven by data sharing. Patient-reported
privacy preferences, privacy portability, and greater transparency around privacy-preserving
functionalities are potential strategies for ensuring that privacy regulations are
met and privacy is preserved.
Keywords
Patient data privacy - self-disclosure - patient-centered care - eHealth - information
dissemination
